Step 3: Upload and run

Step 4: Video of the effect

Video of the effect. The colours and the effect don't show up very well in the video. In real life it is a very effective flame effect. Give it a try....

In this project we will use 3 LED's and an Arduino to create a realistic fire effect that could be used in a diorama, model railway or a fake fireplace in your home or put one inside a frosted glass jar or tube and no-one would know it wasn't a real candle inside.

Step 1: Step 1 - Wire up the LED's

Wire up 3 LED's. Use 2 x Diffused Yellow and 1 x Diffused RED. You can increase the number of LED's if you wanted a larger or brighter display. Consider the use of transistors if your amperage will go over that which can be supplied by the Arduino.

Hey, this is a great instructable and is very informative. Just one thing is missing... pictures! It really helps a lot when trying to follow directions so you should consider taking some photographs. Once you do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work. Thanks! Thanks for the cool instructable and we hope to publish this soon!

Hey, this is a great instructable and is very informative. Just one thing is missing... pictures! It really helps a lot when trying to follow directions so you should consider taking some photographs. Once you do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work. Thanks! Thanks for the cool instructable and we hope to publish this soon!

The reason individual LED's are better, rather than an RGB LED, is that the seperate LED's cause the shadows to come from slightyl different points. This increases the realism as a flickering candle has a flame that dances about causing the shadows to shift slightly. If you use an RGB LED then all of the points of light come from the same location and the shadows remain stationary.

About This Instructable

Bio:Hi, my name is Mike and I am from London, England. I really like to make things and in particular like to do creative things with Arduinos and electronics. Other hobbies include astrophotography and s...read more »